‘It’s just offensive’: Pharma-loving lawmaker breaks down over Americans criticizing corporate profits

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) broke down, appeared to cry, and yelled during a House hearing Thursday afternoon on the exorbitant and growing prices pharmaceutical companies are charging Americans.

Congressman Roy called it "offensive" – not that companies are exponentially raising prices on life-saving drugs they sell in other countries for a fraction of the cost, but over Americans criticizing the drug manufacturers for making out-of-control profits while people are literally dying because they can't afford the high cost of their prescriptions.

The Texas Republican Congressman shared with a representative from Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of HIV/AIDS prevention drug re, that he had had cancer. He then praised the drug that helped save his life as one "that was created, built, manufactured, developed, designed, created by a private company that made a lot of money. And I'm really glad they did. I hope they make a lot more."

"But to sit here and attack the capitalistic system that produces and distributes medicine that saves lives here and around the world?" Roy said, exploding in a rant that seemed to be designed for the cameras. Roy, no political novice, has worked for numerous high-profile Texas Republicans, including Rick Perry, John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and Ken Paxton.

"I mean, it is just offensive," Rep. Roy proclaimed, pounding his fists on the desk. "I mean, I just cannot possibly understand, listening, lecturing companies about making money!"

"I hope you make a lot of money!" Roy continued, waving his hand in the air.

Later, waving a computer or tablet in the air, he said, "It is a good thing that Apple makes a crap-ton of money making these things."

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